Color customization for paint application assembly

ABSTRACT

A method of painting a product in a production painting facility includes the steps of selecting a hue and a chroma corresponding to the hue. The production painting facility utilizes a plurality of base paints that are mixable to constitute the hue and chroma selected. The base paints are pumped to a blending device in a ratio determined to be necessary to formulate the hue and chroma selected. The base paints are blended in the blending device according to the predetermined ratio forming a secondary paint having the hue and chroma previously selected. The secondary paint is delivered to a paint applicator such as an atomizer bell or an equivalent and is applied to the product being painted. The base paints are mixed at the production facility to create a virtually limitless number of secondary paint colors with only a limited number of base paints.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates generally to an apparatus for painting products in a production setting. More specifically, the present invention relates to an apparatus for mixing primary paints, each having a separate base color to form a secondary paint, having a predetermined a color at a production painting facility.

[0002] Presently, production painting facilities, such as, for example a facility that paints automotive vehicle bodies, is limited to painting only a limited number of colors. A typical production paint facility includes a plurality of paint feed tanks each having a predetermined color of paint that is pumped to a paint applicator. Proximate to the paint applicator is a valving system actuated by a controller that determines which color of paint will be delivered to the paint applicator. The applicator is programmed with a purge cycle during which solvent and air is run through the paint applicator when changing the color to be applied to the vehicle body. Due the complexity of the valving system required to change paint colors during the production process only a limited number of colors has been made available as choices to the purchasing consumer. Therefore, the consumer has only a limited number of color options available to choose from when trying to individualize the vehicle being purchased.

[0003] The introduction of the internet to the vehicle selection and purchasing process has made available to the consumer the possibility of making individualized selections not typically available at an auto dealership. For example, many web sites now provide the consumer the ability to select a particular color and view the vehicle of their choice in that color. Further, some manufacturers are providing the ability to select this and other options such as interior fabrics and color and to purchase the vehicle on line.

[0004] It would be desirable to increase the number of colors available to the consumer so that the consumer can individualize the color of his or her vehicle. Further, it would be desirable to combine the ability to select both a hue and chroma that would produce a color that no other consumer could select unless that exact hue and chroma was also chosen. However, given the limitations of the currently available paint application apparatus, the ability to select these individualized colors is not feasible.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION AND ADVANTAGES

[0005] The present invention is an apparatus for painting a product, such as, for example, an automotive vehicle body, in a production painting facility with a virtually unlimited number of colors. The apparatus includes a plurality of feed tanks each holding a base paint with a different primary color. At least one paint feed pump is connected to each paint feed tank for pumping the base paint from the tank. Each feed pump pumps a corresponding base paint to a blending device. The blending device receives these base paints at a predetermined ratio and mixes the base paints to form a secondary paint having a predetermined color corresponding to the predetermined ratio. A production paint applicator receives the secondary paint from the blending device under pressure and applies the paint to the vehicle body.

[0006] The predetermined color is selected by the product purchaser by selecting a corresponding hue and chroma from a color wheel. A controller is programmed with the color formula corresponding to a particular hue and chroma. Upon selection of the hue and chroma, the controller activates the paint feed pumps to pump the combination of base paints corresponding to the formula for the selected hue and chroma to the controller. The apparatus of the present invention provides the ability to mix a limited number of base paints, each having a primary color to form a relatively infinite number of secondary colors corresponding to a given hue and chroma selected by a consumer. This provides a manufacturer with the ability to offer a product in virtually any color a consumer desires. Further, additional paints having either micas or metallic flake can also be blended with the primary paints to further differentiate a color corresponding to the hue and chroma selected.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] The file of this patent contains at least one drawing executed in color. Copies of this patent with color drawing(s) will be provided by the Patent and Trademark Office upon request and payment of the necessary fee.

[0008] Other advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

[0009]FIG. 1 is a schematic view of the color customization apparatus of the present invention;

[0010]FIG. 2 is color drawing of the color wheel utilized to select a hue and chroma;

[0011]FIG. 3 is an alternative embodiment of the color customization apparatus of the present invention; and

[0012]FIG. 4 is schematic view of a robot arm supporting the blending device of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0013] A schematic of an apparatus for painting a product, for example a vehicle body in a production painting facility, is generally shown at 10 of FIG. 1. The apparatus 10 includes a plurality of feed tanks 12, preferably pressurized, as is known in the art of production painting. Each feed tank 12 holds a primary color such as, for example, red, yellow, blue, white, and black. An additional tank 12 holding a clear paint is also optionally included. The clear paint is typically utilized for a two coat paint system. The two coat system includes a colored base coat and a clear overcoat of paint. Each tank communicates through a paint feed line 14 and a purge valve 16 to a paint feed pump 18. Each purge valve 16 includes a solvent nozzle 20 and an air nozzle 22 for purging paint from the feed line 14 as needed for cleaning. Each paint feed pump 18 pumps a corresponding base paint through a pump feed line 24 to a blending device 26.

[0014] Preferably, the paint feed pumps 18 comprise positive displacement gear pumps. Positive displacement gear pumps have proven to have both accurate and durable operating properties for delivering an accurate amount of base paint to the blending device 26. The preferred gear pumps are supplied by Barmag AG and operate at at least 3.0 cc's per revolution. Additionally, the pressure differential across the gears are balanced at approximately ±20 psi. A servo motor 28 operates the pump 18 controlled in a velocity loop and is self adjusting to maintain a constant speed. Other equivalent paint feed pumps capable of metering precise amounts of paint may also be used.

[0015] A manifold 30 receives the base paint from each of the paint feed pumps 18 through the pump feed lines 24. Each pump feed line 24 includes a manifold valve 32 that opens or closes corresponding to which of the paint feed pumps 18 is being activated. A solvent manifold valve 34 and an air manifold valve 36 are also disposed on the manifold 30 for purging and cleaning the blending device 26 during a color change as is known in the art of production painting. A mix tube 38 receives paint from the manifold 30. The mix tube 38 includes a spiraled inner wall for mixing the base paints received from the manifold 30. The mix tube 38 delivers the mixed primary paints now comprising the secondary paint to a paint applicator 40 such as a rotary atomizer paint bell as is known in the art of production painting. Other types of paint applicators may be utilized as desired, such as, for example air atomizers.

[0016] Preferably, the blending devices are affixed a robot arm 42 (FIG. 4), the end of which supports the paint applicator 40. A controller 44 interfaces with each of the paint feed pumps 18, each of the manifold valves 32, the robot arm 42, and the applicator 40. The controller 44 coordinates the metering of the base paints and the application of the secondary paint corresponding to the hue and chroma selected by the customer as will be explained further below.

[0017] Preferably, the manifold valves 30 are pneumatically actuated by pressurized air lines as directed by the controller 44. Needles (not shown) disposed within the manifold valves 30 are actuated by the air lines to open the valves 30 facilitating the flow of paint from the pump feed lines 24 into the manifold 30. The controller activates the paint feed pump 18 corresponding to the base paints needed to blend the secondary paint simultaneously with opening the corresponding manifold valves 32. The period of time each pump 18 is activated to deliver the appropriate ratio of base paint necessary to blend the predetermined color is calculated by the controller.

[0018] Referring to FIG. 2, a color chart represented as a color wheel is generally shown at 46. A hue and a corresponding chroma can be selected from the color wheel 46 to obtain a desired secondary color. The color wheel 46 can be located on a web page of a marketing site on the internet or be part of a computer package at a dealership or marketing outlet. Each secondary color corresponds to a specific point selected on the color wheel. The selected point is signaled to the controller 44, which performs an algorithm to determine the ratio of base paints needed to be mixed together to blend the secondary color. After determining the ratio of base paints necessary to blend the secondary color, the controller 44 signals the corresponding paint feed pumps 18 and the corresponding manifold valves 32 to deliver the precise ratio of base paints to the blending device 26 required to mix the secondary paint. Additionally, a metallic or mica-based paint can be included to further differentiate the predetermined color. The mica and metallic paints can be selected by indicating so on the computer used to select the predetermined color.

[0019] In the case of a modular paint booth, wherein a single paint application station is included, one of the tanks 12 can be designated to a clear coat paint. Therefore, a two coat, base coat clear coat paint system can be applied to the vehicle body in two stages using a single applicator 40. First, the predetermined color is applied as a base coat paint selected from the color wheel 46. Subsequently, the clear coat paint is applied over the base coat paint to establish the base coat clear coat paint coating. Additional tanks 12 can be designated to add a mica containing clear coat or blend a mica paint to the clear coat paint or other base paints as desired.

[0020] Referring to FIG. 3, a secondary blending device, generally shown at 48, feeds a blending manifold valve 50 disposed upon the apparatus 10. The secondary blending device 48 includes a plurality of secondary paint feed pumps 52. The secondary paint feed pumps 52 pump various colored micas, various grades of metallic flake, clear coat, and other paints having unique properties, each from secondary paint tanks 54. These paints are pumped to a secondary blending device 56 of similar construction as the blending device 26 discussed above. The secondary blending device 56 is connected to the blending manifold valve 50 and thereby delivers premixed specialty paint to the blending device 26 to be mixed with the primary paints. Alternatively, the specialty paints are not mixed with the primary paints and are used for a secondary or tertiary paint coating on the vehicle body. The secondary apparatus 48 provides the flexibility to enable further distinguishing characteristics to the painted vehicle body and yet, utilize the same applicator 40 eliminating the need to install additional applicators 40 in the paint processing booth.

[0021] The invention has been described in an illustrative manner, and it is to be understood that the terminology which has been used is intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than of limitation.

[0022] Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is, therefore, to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, wherein reference numerals are merely for convenience and are not to be in any way limiting, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for painting a product in a production painting facility comprising: a plurality of paint feed tanks each having a base paint with a primary color therein; at least one paint feed pump connected to each of said paint feed tanks for pumping the base paint from said tank; a blending device receiving the base paint from each of said feed pumps at a predetermined ratio thereby mixing the base paints to form a secondary paint having a predetermined color corresponding to the predetermined ratio; a paint applicator receiving the secondary paint from said blending device under pressure for applying the paint to the product; and a controller programmable with a plurality primary paint ratios corresponding to a plurality of hues and chromas and communicable with each of said pumps for signaling the primary paint ratios of the base paints necessary to form the secondary paint.
 2. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 including at least one valve for each primary paint actuated by said controller thereby metering a predetermined amount of the base paint delivered to said blending device.
 3. An apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein said blending device includes a manifold fluidly connected to said valves thereby receiving the base paint through said valves in a ratio corresponding to said predetermined hue and chroma.
 4. An apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein each of said valves is affixed to said manifold.
 5. An apparatus as set forth in claim 4 wherein each of said valves comprises a solenoid valve.
 6. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said blending device includes a mixing tube fluidly connected to said manifold and having a spiraled path therein for agitating and mixing said base paints.
 7. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said paint applicator comprises one of an electrostatic and a non-electrostatic rotary atomizer.
 8. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said paint applicator is manipulated by said robot arm along a predetermined path for applying the secondary paint to the product.
 9. An apparatus as set forth in claim 8 wherein said blending device is affixed to said robot arm.
 10. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein each of said pumps comprises a gear pump activated by said controller according to the primary paint ratios necessary to mix each of the predetermined colors.
 11. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 further including a solvent supply and an air supply connected to said blending device for purging and cleaning said blending device.
 12. A method of painting a product in a production painting facility comprising the steps of: selecting a hue; selecting a chroma corresponding to the hue; providing a production painting facility with a plurality of base paints mixable to constitute a secondary paint having any selected hue and chroma; providing a blending device for blending the plurality of base paints; delivering the plurality of base paints to said blending device; blending the plurality of base paints in said blending device according to a predetermined ratio to form the secondary paint having the hue and chroma previously selected; delivering the secondary paint to an applicator; and applying the secondary paint received from said blending device to a product.
 13. A method as set forth in claim 12 further including the step of predetermining the ratio of base paints corresponding to the selected hue and chroma.
 14. A method as set forth in claim 13 further including the step of signaling the blending device with the ratio of base paints corresponding to the selected hue and chroma.
 15. A method as set forth in claim 14 further including the step of purging and cleaning the blending device in response to a selection of a new hue and chroma.
 16. A method as set forth in claim 12 wherein said step of blending base paints is further defined by blending at least red, yellow, blue, white, and black.
 17. A method as set forth in claim 12 wherein said step of selecting a hue and a chroma further includes selecting a mica based paint to blend with the base paints.
 18. A method as set forth in claim 17 wherein said step of selecting a hue and a chroma further includes selecting a metallic base paint to blend with the base paints.
 19. An apparatus for painting a product in a production painting facility comprising: a plurality of paint feed tanks each storing a separate base paint and each being fluidly connected to a paint feed pump; a blending device affixed to a robot arm proximate to a paint applicator, wherein said blending device is fluidly connected to each of said paint feed pumps to receive a predetermined ratio of said base paints from said paint feed pumps thereby blending the base paints to form a secondary paint applicable to the product via said paint applicator; said paint feed tanks each being capable of storing a base paint having a primary color and said blending device being capable of blending the predetermined ratio of said base paints received from said feed pumps to form the secondary paint corresponding to a predetermined hue and chroma; and including a controller programmable with a plurality primary paint ratios corresponding to a plurality of hues and chromas and being communicable each of said pumps for signaling the primary paint ratios of the base paints necessary to form the secondary paint.
 20. An apparatus as set forth in claim 19 including at least one valve for each primary paint actuated by said controller thereby metering a predetermined amount of the base paint delivered to said blending device.
 21. An apparatus as set forth in claim 20 wherein said blending device includes a manifold fluidly connected to said valves thereby receiving the base paint through said valves in a ratio corresponding to said predetermined hue and chroma.
 22. An apparatus as set forth in claim 21 wherein each of said valves is affixed to said manifold.
 23. An apparatus as set forth in claim 22 wherein each of said valves comprises a solenoid valve.
 24. An apparatus as set forth in claim 19 wherein said blending device includes a mixing tube fluidly connected to said manifold and having a spiraled path therein for agitating and mixing said base paint.
 25. An apparatus as set forth in claim 19 wherein said paint applicator comprises an electrostatic rotary atomizer.
 26. An apparatus as set forth in claim 19 wherein said paint applicator is manipulated by said robot arm along a predetermined path for applying the secondary paint to the product.
 27. An apparatus as set forth in claim 19 wherein each of said pumps comprises a gear pump activated by said controller according to the primary paint ratios necessary to mix each of the predetermined colors.
 28. An apparatus as set forth in claim 19 further including a solvent supply and an air supply connected to said blending device for purging and cleaning said blending device.
 29. A method of painting a product in a production painting facility comprising the steps of: selecting a hue and a chroma corresponding to the hue from a color chart; providing a production painting facility with a plurality of base paints mixable to constitute a secondary paint having a color derived from an unlimited combination of hues and chromas; providing a blending device for blending the plurality of base paints; delivering the plurality of base paints to said blending device; blending the plurality of base paints in said blending device according to a predetermined ratio to form the secondary paint having the hue and chroma previously selected; delivering the secondary paint to an applicator; and applying the secondary paint received from said blending device to a product.
 30. A method as set forth in claim 29 further including the step of predetermining the ratio of base paints corresponding to the selected hue and chroma.
 31. A method as set forth in claim 30 further including the step of signaling the blending device with the ratio of base paints corresponding to the selected hue and chroma.
 32. A method as set forth in claim 29 further including the step of purging and cleaning the blending device in response to a selection of a new hue and chroma.
 33. A method as set forth in claim 29 wherein said step of blending base paints is further defined by blending at least red, yellow, blue, white, and black.
 34. A method as set forth in claim 29 further including the step of selecting a mica based paint to blend with the base paints.
 35. A method as set forth in claim 29 further including the step of selecting a mica based paint to apply over said secondary paint.
 36. A method as set forth in claim 29 wherein said step of selecting a hue and a chroma further includes selecting a metallic base paint to blend with the base paints. 